R.I.D BASE OF OPERATIONS

I think it's about time I brought up some concerns I have, and see if the Executive Council can maybe lend some advice.

I do want to begin by stating that I'd very much like this guild to excel, and have you guys stick around long enough to make that happen.

Lately, I've been a bit worried about the overall attitude of the guild. I am getting the impression that the vast majority of our members merely "piggyback" off us for just a few reasons:

1.) Base Bust Mailing Lists
2.) Buff House Access

The guild chat is used as a help chat at best, and not an effective communication tool which aids in the organizing of activities and socializing between members.

I come to this conclusion for a few reasons:

1.) Most guild members seldom communicate with other members
2.) Most guild members just log on when a base bust is organized

As you may have noticed, I sent out a message about organizing one on one meetings. My reason for doing this, is that I can better motivate members to do things on a personal level, rather than during large guild meetings. I want to stress that while we don't need to take the game seriously, that they ARE in a guild, and we should all try to do *something* to improve the overall spirit of the guild.

I would like to believe that I gave ample notice for today's PvP event. My qualm isn't so much with those who couldn't log on, but those who could/did log on, but didn't attend the event. I was left asking in guild chat who'd like to group up and meet in Restuss. The responses are usually "too low a level," or "not good enough equipment." Most of the time, there is no response at all, from those who are even ATK.

The point of the PvP events wasn't to PvP, but to group up as a guild, to better get to know one another and our Imperial allies. Most of the time, PvP is dead, and when it isn't, there's no need to be upset over a death (as there's no death penalty).

But the problem isn't with PvP events, it's guild activity as a whole. Members make an effort to attend our guild meetings, but in the end, they feel it is not their job to improve things within the guild.

I often feel guilty, because I know members need to do heroics. I feel I have failed many of them in that I can't always be there to form heroic groups. Before I left for college, I stressed to RID that they needed to learn to form heroic groups on their own, since I could not always form them from that point on. Most members didn't seem to really acknowledge that, especially those who have joined RID since then.

It's painful, because nowadays it seems the only way a guild can truly succeed, is if the guild can actively and successfully run heroics. I worry current members will leave the guild due to lack of such activities, unless I or someone else can successfully organize such groups.

I'll probably post more later (gonna call it a night, hehe).

I read it, just need some time to give a thorough answer.

I've been running a lot of heroics lately but Moche and Arramen are the only regulars that join. SUNDR and SR have filled in a lot of spots, Ibar even did Hoth with us tonight. Actually quite a few RID members did Hoth tonight with me. I just did a succssful EK too, woot! But most of my heroics run from 8PM - 3AM CST. I don't think anyone joins us for the BB or Buffhouse access, they can get that anywhere. They don't even need to be guilded to go to the BBs. I do agree there is not much event participation or self appointed leadership being promoted, but we do have a lot of new people and a lot of our old regulars have stopped playing. I do a lot of socializing via guild chat, but usually when nothing is going on. We do have a lot of noobs and returning vets so there has been an increase in help requests, which I do not mind answering questions. The only people we have lost were lamers that I was HOPING would leave anyways. I think it would had been wise to tell people why you wanted to meet one on one. Honestly the mail was somewhat demanding with no explanation. Sure pissed l'can off lol, expect a hate mail from him. But really Lexx you are not able to be on very much, so don't judge what little you see as the big picture. We will get there

Yeah, I was just a bit irritated last night, it's all good.

I didn't mean to come across as demanding. Just sometimes people don't take it seriously if I don't. So I got to find a fine line between being "pushy" and "friendly." I hope L'can/D'avid didn't take this meeting as a personal thing, but rather a serious attempt to address the needs of all members, who I feel are becoming increasingly distant.

Over the years though, I just get the general impression that a percentage (I shouldn't say many) use RID as a stepping-stone until they find a "better" guild. It's surprising, but I've actually had members/former-members who've outright said to me that they just want(ed) to stay in RID for buff house access and be left be. It's these members who should leave, and I never cringe when they do, but it's irritating to make an effort to devote such resources to these members when there are better things to devote time to.

But you're right, I have a lot to thankful for with our current members, and I shouldn't, nor do I intend, to judge any of them harshly. I just want them to know that they're all valued members and that they can/should play a more direct role in the guild.

On a final note, when I get online, I will explain why I wanted to form the one on one meetings. This wasn't the first time I've organized these, so I'll make a better explanation so that there's no hard feelings/confusion.

L'Can is British and takes EXTREME PRIDE in the fact that he is a security guard. I mean, what can you really expect from him? lol

LexxYovel wrote:Yeah, I was just a bit irritated last night, it's all good.

I didn't mean to come across as demanding. Just sometimes people don't take it seriously if I don't. So I got to find a fine line between being "pushy" and "friendly." I hope L'can/D'avid didn't take this meeting as a personal thing, but rather a serious attempt to address the needs of all members, who I feel are becoming increasingly distant.

Over the years though, I just get the general impression that a percentage (I shouldn't say many) use RID as a stepping-stone until they find a "better" guild. It's surprising, but I've actually had members/former-members who've outright said to me that they just want(ed) to stay in RID for buff house access and be left be. It's these members who should leave, and I never cringe when they do, but it's irritating to make an effort to devote such resources to these members when there are better things to devote time to.

But you're right, I have a lot to thankful for with our current members, and I shouldn't, nor do I intend, to judge any of them harshly. I just want them to know that they're all valued members and that they can/should play a more direct role in the guild.

On a final note, when I get online, I will explain why I wanted to form the one on one meetings. This wasn't the first time I've organized these, so I'll make a better explanation so that there's no hard feelings/confusion.

Lol, well I logged on for 30 minutes. He didn't exactly send me a hate-filled mail (yay?), but it was a more irritated one.

He was saying that do the lagginess of the computer, he sees no reason to spend half an hour heading to Fort Oasis for a meeting when tells do quite fine. He said that he's fine with the way the guild is, and has nothing to say. I addressed his concerns, so it's all cool. I told him I'm flexible and we can do the meeting at anytime, anywhere, even afar via tells if its more convenient. I also told him that the guild is fine, but that we can still always find new ways to improve things.

I also sent another guild mail explaining the purpose of the meetings, and dispelling any potential concerns about it. I also let everyone know that we don't need to meet in Fort Oasis, just that I simply list that as a meeting location out of habit. I let them know that meeting anywhere, whether it be a base bust, another or city or group chat, works.

very nice. lcan is one that i expect to leave within the next couple months. He never participates in anything. I dont even know that ive ever actually seen one of his toons lol. But anyways, yah.